New York Wit Man

At this point in the season, most of us don't know whether to laugh or cry. But the holidays are all about being of good cheer -- so get happy or else, because comic Adam Ferrara is bringing his Sopranos-style humor along with his New Yawk accent. The standup, who has logged time on all of the late-night talk shows, is known for his routines with a twist; his bit about a tough-talking Supreme Being sending a hitman-like angel to settle a score is among his best.

But don't take our woid for it.

Ferrara is ready to give the Mile High City a hug -- and he'll tailor that hug for comedy-lovers of varying ages. "The last time I did New Year's [in Denver], I didn't realize kids were in the audience. I was standing there looking at these kids and editing as I went along."

This year, he's prepared. The funny Easterner, who opens tonight at 8 p.m. at the Comedy Works, will do three shows on New Year's Eve: one at 6 p.m. for kids thirteen and up, and two more, at 8 and 10 p.m., for adults only.

The Comedy Works is at 1226 15th Street; call 303-595-3637 or go to www.comedyworks.com. -- Jerri Theil

Going Ape Zoo Years Eve speeds up the clock FRI, 12/31

While many moms and dads like the idea of bringing in the New Year alongside their children, keeping the youngest of them conscious into the wee hours can make the march to midnight seem endless. Denver Zoo reps have come up with a simple solution: At Zoo Years Eve, the countdown to 2005 starts around 9 p.m., so kids can be tucked into bed long before they reach twelve on the crankiness scale.

Zoo spokeswoman Tiffany Barnhart promises lots of festivities to entertain tots, including a magic show and Wildlights, a lighting extravaganza that's been running throughout the holidays. In a separate event, the Zoo is sponsoring Bunk With the Beasts, which allows a select number of children ages six to thirteen to spend the night at the zoo, learning about animals and their night behavior -- although not the kind their parents will be engaging in without them.

Admission for Zoo Years Eve is $7 for adults, $4 for children ages three to eleven, and $6 for seniors over age 65; infants under two get in free of charge. Call 303-376-4800 to learn more. The cost of Bunk With the Beasts is $55 per child for Zoo members, $60 for non-Zoo members. For details, call 303-376-4850. -- Michael Roberts

Postcards From the Edge MON, 1/3

During a remodeling project, I found an old postcard from Paris, postmarked 1947. It was a watercolor rendition of the Eiffel Tower, and on the back were wartime love notes. From that point on, I was hooked on old postcards. So are the ladies from the Association of Pacific Northwest Quilters, who want to hook you, too. Their latest exhibit of fabric "postcard" quilts is called Wish You Were Here. Paula Pahl, executive director of the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum, says the artisans have fashioned small art quilts based on postcard scenes.

The show opens today and runs through March 5 at the Quilt Museum, 1111 Washington Avenue in Golden; admission is $4. For information, call 303-277-3777 or go to www.rmqm.org. -- Jerri Theil

Strings Attached Yonder Mountain subs for Phish THURS, 12/30

Untold thousands of Phish aficionados the world over are in mourning. After all, their favorite band folded in May, taking its tradition of trippy New Year's Eve shows with it. Fortunately for locals, the Yonder Mountain String Band, a combo from Nederland that uses bluegrass as a jumping-off point for adventurous musical excursions, is still very much alive. There are no plans for Trey Anastasio to join the combo at its two headlining concerts this week at the Fillmore Auditorium; Keller Williams opens both dates, with the Snake Oil Medicine Show joining the bill tomorrow night. Nevertheless, Phish-heads definitely won't feel like they've been left out of water.

Tickets for tonight's performance are $25; tomorrow's price is $45. Two-day passes for $65 are also available. The Fillmore is at 1510 Clarkson Street; for details, call 303-837-0360 or go to www.ticketmaster.com. -- Michael Roberts

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